As fundraisers, we're often tasked with maximizing giving while honoring donor intent—but how do we ensure we're doing both ethically? This session explores the how and why of elevating donors into major and planned giving, with a focus on ethical decision-making. You'll learn how to prioritize blended giving strategies with integrity, approach conversations transparently, and identify ethical red flags when donor interests, organizational goals, and financial incentives intersect. Real-world scenarios will help guide your practice in an increasingly complex giving landscape.
Randall Hallett, CEO and Founder
Ed.D., Juris Doctorate, MBA, BS, CFRE
Randall Hallett is the CEO and Founder of Hallett Philanthropy, a full-service consulting firm. Having spent his entire career in philanthropy, Randall has a passion for helping organizations seek funding to meet their mission, and believes giving is good for one’s emotional and physical well-being.
Randall began his career (for the first 10 years) in private secondary-education schools overseeing philanthropy as the chief development officer. In that time, he oversaw multiple $20M+ capital campaigns, multi-million-dollar annual funding drives, all fundraising efforts/staff, alumni offices, admissions, marketing/communications, and other external relations. He also worked closely with the president/head of school on many board-related matters/issues.
Randall next became the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and MedCenter Senior Executive at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he was responsible for all aspects of fundraising, including the introduction of a major gift solicitations program through physician engagement, a concierge program, and a planned giving effort which led to a 600 percent increase during his tenure. Randall and his team supported the $370 million 18-month fundraising effort for the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
Prior to founding Hallett Philanthropy, Randall served as President and Principal Consultant for a large national firm in philanthropy consulting. While there, he oversaw all client programs on behalf of the 30+ person firm. The final four years of his seven-year tenure were the most profitable for the organization in their history.
Randall created his own firm in 2020 (in the middle of the pandemic) so he could concentrate on clients and be a thought leader in the industry—rather than just worrying about the next “client contract.” As such, he purposely maintains his firm as small, yet nimble to ensure that client successes are the focus, and not that of the consultant. Hallett Philanthropy limits the number of clients it will engage to ensure a personal and direct interface to serve specific and detailed client needs, leading to appropriate outcomes.
As a consultant, Randall has worked with universities, healthcare systems, hospitals, medical centers, community non-profits, independent schools and national service non-profit organizations.
Randall holds a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a Juris Doctorate with a personal focus in taxation issues of estates and trusts from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and an Educational Doctorate in leadership from the University of St. Thomas.